PhilD:
I'm certain you're right in that there are loopholes or simply specific beaded wheel designs that meet Federal standards. My point was a generalization from what I read in four wheel magazines and what I hear from locals. I live in the mountains and there are a ton of 4-bys up here that run bead locks, but always for trail use only.
The consensus is that "functioning" bead locks are illegal because they are not required to meet the same safety standards as other products.
I've still never seen a rig equipped with bead locks on the street; only off-road or being towed on a trailer.
States may vary on their enforcement too.
